In Progress

It's a pain. Catching up, still working on feeling better, getting mentally back on a creative track. It's been tough. I'm working hard on not giving up because I'm so far behind. But then a part of me kicks me in the backseat to do one thing. One little thing. Because there's nothing else I want to do.

Saturday was tough. In my crazy little head, nothing seemed to be going right. Yet in between beating myself up, I managed to get something done. Too bad I can't have more days like that. I started out with this...

The core is a wet felted egg shape that I made for another project that didn't get done. Instead of tossing the egg (there are more) I decided to make something else. And I ended up with this.

He's still in progress. He will have a green cap with a brown stem and probably a red bow tie. Why him? I don't know. He spoke to me and he's determined to get done.

Block 8 of Bless This House quilt. I did change the wreath and am trying to do a little bit each day so I can stay on track.

I added some of the flowers and the heart. Now I've got to cut out bias strips to make two stems. One little bit at a time. Right?

Once again, this year will be the season of the ornaments. They're easy to do and they sell well. They make great stocking stuffers and they're cute. Here's my latest batch of angel ornaments.

I'm also involved in doll swaps and here is my doll for the Stitchin' and Switchin' USA fall swap. She will get a knitted or crocheted hat (because she wants one), a jacket and probably a scarf. Her design is based on a Penny Wooden doll. I love her curly hair but she still wants a hat. Then she'll be off to her new mom.

And wonders of wonders, I finished reading a book. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs. I really liked it, especially the black and white photos of the peculiar children. It is obviously a two book story and I hope he's working on the second book. It's got unusual kids in it, monsters, time travel and it's about friendship and adventure. I guess I'll have to check out his website to see what's coming up. I do recommend this book.

Silas and Manfred

Hello September. I was hoping for some cooler days but they haven't shown up in these parts just yet. I'm waitin'. I'm still a waitin'.

I finally finished Manfred the Maniacal Pumpkin and he's got his buddy Silas the Scarecrow and they're about to head out to a party of ghoulish proportions. Or something. They have been wet and then needle felted.

The leaves are cut out of felt and felted wool fabric. Some of them I embroidered veins on them.

I made Silas's hood and it has been distressed. I made his hat out of upholstery fabric. The tie around his neck was a tie from around a bag of cornmeal from a local mill. I had made my last batch of cornbread muffins and I liked the string that held the bag closed. Re-purposing is great. I painted both candle stick holders black and then used orange, yellow, and gold as accents.

Silas has mismatched button eyes, French knots for his nose and embroidered mouth. He does have rosy cheeks too.

We know which one will be the more responsible one. Or do we?

The Reader- in progress

It's hot! But I was able to continue work on The Reader. I had her armature done, so I guess I'll show that pic. This is another version of a stump doll.

Her skirt form is a floral styrofoam cone. Heavy floral wire forms her torso arms, and neck.

I marked lines to figure out how long her arms should be. I had to remember that hands are going to be attached on the ends of the wire.

I forgot to take a pic of the felt around the cone. It's now ready to be wet felted. This is my fourth time wet felting. Twice have been short of disastrous, so I was keeping my fingers crossed. This was the first time wet felting over a support. I got directions from Marie Spaulding at Living Felt. After putting and lightly needle felting wool onto the cone, I placed tulle over the cone and then a stocking. Then the felting began. Soap, hot, agitate, cold, hot, agitate some more, cold rinse, hot, cold again, and a little squeeze. I truly didn't know what to expect. If it was a massive fail, I could cover the cone with fabric. As I held my breath, I took off the stocking and was quite pleased. I wasn't ready to get excited just yet. Then I took off the tulle and just about cried like a baby. It had worked. It feels soooooo good when something works.

As you can see, it came out quite well. I'm so tickled and I will most definitely try wet felting again. Now I have to let this dry and work on her head. 

Cheers!

Happy May 1st!

Totally amazing. It's May 1st. Where is the time going? Okey smokey. I think I'm off to a good start for May. Here is what I'm working on.

-20 mermaid tails stuffed (they look so cute when I have them in a small container)
-2 large skeleton heads sewn and ready to be stuffed, then painted
-4 more Halloween Sprites cut out, sewn and ready to be stuffed
-4 new Wandi Witches cut out, sewn and ready to be stuffed
-9 pirates started, those round things are the wet felted bodies
(everything but the pirates was done yesterday, it was a rockin' day)

There are more things in queue: Wandi Beach Gals in summer wear, needle felt mermaids to hang on the wall, standing pirates, and things in sailor outfits. Crazy? Of course. I wouldn't be me if I wasn't a little off.

I want to have 20 dolls by the end of the month. We'll see how close I can get. And that's just for the Expo. I also have Etsy and galleries and shops to tend to. I am bold enough to claim the life that I want. Ready for the May Flowers. Are you?

Time to Make Some Pirates!

Okay, Spring Sprites are done and it's time to get to the sea. I'm feeling pirates right now and will attempt wet felting again. This time I will have access to a good washer with different settings for a hot wash.

Yes, you do see hot pink in that bunch of wool. Why shouldn't there be a hot pink pirate?

I'll also start stuffing mermaid tails. They're calling me too. Not so much a siren sound, more like a bunch of little kids and one big cardboard box. Both Wendys are getting a little impatient because the Spring and Halloween sprites are having a party with Oswin and his pals. They do make a great group. I'll have to take a pic.